Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1993 Reference No: BA25720 Movement No: 375'519 Case No: D11'439 Model Name: Star Wheel Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2124, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate d'Origine et de Garantie dated March 4, 1993.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1989, the Star Wheel collection features an unusual time indication via the star wheel complication. Three sapphire disks with printed hours rotate on a center wheel, with the hour pointing the minutes on the upper portion of the dial. The automatic Audemars Piguet Star Wheel was available in yellow gold, stainless steel or platinum.
The present yellow gold version displays a fantastic guilloché lower dial that perfectly contrasts against the white portion made to displays the minutes. The almost invisible sapphire disks rotate around the dial to present the correct time. With its unique complication, the Star Wheel draws attention with its elegant simplicity. Furthermore, the present watch is accompanied by its Audemars Piguet Certificate d'Origine et de Garantie dated March 4, 1993.
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.
